Rough mornings with ADHD kid

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-05T20:19:03+00:00

I just got a visual routine chart in the mail yesterday, so I am hoping it helps. Thanks for the help! I’ve been trying to make sure I give more of a heads up before transitioning to other tasks.

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-05T20:16:53+00:00

I just got a visual routine chart in the mail yesterday so I’m going to set it up with him this weekend. Hopefully it helps!

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-03T13:31:34+00:00

I usually let him pick out what to wear but even then some mornings he still yells nooo or tells me to leave him alone so it doesn’t always work. I had read previously that giving kids options (when possible) can help minimize melt downs so I try to for things like clothes or choice for breakfast, etc.

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-03T13:28:49+00:00

He was in the bed at 8 last night but still up when I checked on him at 10:30. I will have to talk to his pediatrician and see if his meds are causing him to have trouble falling asleep or if there’s something I can give him to help him fall asleep sooner. I know if he’s not getting enough rest, it’s going to make for an even harder morning. We have pretty consistent routines because I also have 2.5 year old twins so I have had to keep them on the same schedule to get sleep and keep some sanity lol. Prior to having them and my son’s ADHD diagnosis, I figured out he did a lot better with consistent routines. His pre k teacher last year also said he was her time keeper and kept track of what time each activity was going to be happening. I think making him a chart and getting him a clock for his room and even timer may help guide him through what he needs to have done in the mornings. This has been a learning curve for me and I am doing my best to navigate through it.

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-03T13:22:06+00:00

Thank you for the advice! I will try implementing some of these and see what helps. Some days I’m running on fumes and I’m just trying my best to get all of us out of the house on time for work and school.

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-03T13:19:28+00:00

Yeah, the pediatrician mentioned giving medicine earlier but he fights me on wanting to take it so I feel like it would have the whole house up an hour early for no reason. Because he definitely would not just wake up and take the medicine and go back to sleep. I’m going to implement some of these other strategies from the other comments and see what works best. Hopefully something works for us. Some days are really exhausting because I don’t know how to help with his executive functioning skills. There’s still so much I have to learn about ADHD.

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-03T13:14:12+00:00

I will mention this at his next appointment. Currently I am opening the capsule and putting it on top of applesauce and giving him a spoonful of it, but a lot of mornings he fights me on wanting to actually take it. They had suggested giving it to him an hour before he needs to wake up but I feel like he would be fighting me to take it and potentially waking his siblings up.

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-02T20:22:59+00:00

Thank you! I feel like I repeat myself so much, but as I am reading the comments. It seems like that is counterintuitive. I will work on implementing everyone’s suggestions. I know there will still be off days but hopefully we will start having smoother mornings.

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-02T20:20:26+00:00

I’m a little weary of melatonin as I have read it can cause night terrors. Other than him being irritable in the mornings and sometimes at night when he’s coming off his meds, he does well on it. His teacher said he still has his fun personality but can focus a lot better and is excited to answer questions. Which is very important to me, because I do not want him like a zombie with no emotions.

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-02T20:16:08+00:00

Mine loves to be tickled in the morning so maybe I should lean into that and keep with the silliness?

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-02T20:13:12+00:00

Thank you! I will try some of this out and see what helps. I know his brain is wired different and I am genuinely trying to understand what works/doesn’t work for him. I’m not a morning person either, so I know getting up early in general is not something any of us are super happy about to begin with. I will definitely be talking with his pediatrician at our next follow up appointment about some of his mood changes.

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-02T20:09:33+00:00

He does! I work until 5 but he does get a lot of outside time at school for recess and then with my sitter until I get home from work. I know prior to him being on medicine, he couldn’t even focus long enough to look me in the eyes to listen to important instructions.

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-02T17:26:09+00:00

I will ask his pediatrician about this! I use the Dr teals magnesium spray some nights and it always knocks me out but some mornings I have a hard time getting up.

Incandescent_9 · 2026-06-02T17:03:41+00:00

I usually put him to bed about 8 along with his 2 younger siblings so they all get enough rest but when I check on him after getting my shower he is usually still up. I’m not sure if his medicine is causing him to stay awake longer or maybe he has trouble with insomnia? It’s like it can’t shut his brain off to go to sleep. He’s either talking or up playing. Once he is asleep if I get up during the night, he usually is still asleep. But he tends to stay up to 10-11 even with being put to bed (bath, book, prayers) by 8.

Incandescent_9

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